Median growth fund gains slightly: Morningstar

Australian superannuation funds showed small growth over July, with the median growth fund returning 1.4 per cent, according to the Morningstar Australian Superannuation Survey.

Individual results varied from a high of 2.6 per cent to a low of 0.4 per cent.

Longer-term annualised median returns stood at 10.8 per cent (one year), 10.8 per cent (three years), 9.1 per cent (five years), and 6.8 per cent (10 years to 31 July 2014).

Legg Mason Growth came out on top among growth super funds over the year to 31 July at 16.1 per cent, followed by Legg Mason Balanced (13.5 per cent).

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Maple-Brown Abbott was a close third (12.9 per cent), followed by MLC Growth (12.3 per cent), and Energy Super Balanced (12.1 per cent).

Among balanced super funds (40-60 per cent growth assets) over the year to 31 July, BT Balanced finished first at 10.2 per cent, followed by Energy Super Capital Managed (9.8 per cent) and AMP Moderate Growth (9.1 per cent).

Defensive assets were at 23.3 per cent on average, with 9.6 per cent in domestic bonds, 5.8 per cent international, and 7.9 per cent in cash.

Legg Mason Growth had the highest allocation to Australian shares (51.7 per cent), followed by Legg Mason Balanced (45.8 per cent), and State Super Growth (38.8 per cent).

Multi-sector growth super funds' average allocation to equities at 30 June was 56.7 per cent, with 29.7 per cent Australian and 27 per cent global.

Average property exposure was 7.9 per cent.